A Second Chance Inspires a Lasting Gift

For Leon “Gerry” Danish, a bicycle ride through Barrington, RI, changed his life in an instant. What began as an ordinary day became the start of an extraordinary journey, one that ultimately inspired him to give back to the people who helped save his life.

While riding his bicycle, Gerry suddenly fainted and collapsed onto a stone driveway. Passing drivers stopped when they saw him lying on the ground; one driver happened to be Adam Saltzman, MD, of Southcoast Health, who immediately began performing chest compressions. After roughly five and a half minutes of CPR, Gerry came to while waiting for emergency responders to arrive. Recognizing that he had experienced a cardiac event, Dr. Saltzman shared his assessment with first responders as Gerry was transported for further care.

Wanting to thank the physician who had saved his life, Gerry and his wife, Michele, wrote Dr. Saltzman a letter. That letter sparked a conversation, and Dr. Saltzman encouraged Gerry to undergo a comprehensive cardiac evaluation. That evaluation brought him to Southcoast Health, where further testing revealed the seriousness of his condition and set him on the path to lifesaving treatment.

Gerry needed a cardiac catheterization as soon as possible, and Dr. Saltzman, the same physician who had saved his life, had opened space in his schedule to see him. The catheterization showed that Gerry needed a quadruple bypass, which was performed by Iraklis Gerogiannis, MD. Over the next three weeks at Charlton Memorial Hospital, Gerry experienced not only exceptional medical care but also compassion that would later inspire him to give back.

“It was very scary, but the staff was incredibly supportive and very good at explaining everything,” Gerry said. “We were very pleased. It was a phenomenal stay.”

As he recovered, it was often the small moments that made the biggest difference. Aleksei Moskin, Patient Services Ambassador, became a familiar, welcoming face. Each day he would arrive with a smile to take his meal order, but he offered more than food. Over conversations about food and culture, he would encourage Gerry to eat enough protein to support his healing.

“He was just so positive about the food and about making sure you got enough protein,” Gerry said. “He had such a positive attitude that I was going to get better. He gave me something to look forward to every day. He has a special personality. He’s exactly the kind of person who should be working with patients.”

Gerry also remembers Ana Medeiros, CNA, who helped him with mobility and checked in on him throughout his recovery. Her encouragement and compassionate presence were part of the exceptional care Gerry received from every member of the team.

“The nursing staff was terrific, and the whole cardiovascular team was outstanding,” he said. “We didn’t have any downsides during the entire three-week hospitalization.”

The experience reinforced for Gerry how important it is to recognize healthcare professionals who go above and beyond. Wanting to express his gratitude in a lasting way, he honored Dr. Adam Saltzman, Ana Medeiros, CNA, and Aleksei Moskin through the Southcoast Health Grateful Patient Program, recognizing the compassion, dedication, and exceptional care that carried him through one of the most difficult experiences of his life.

Today, Gerry stays connected through a monthly cardiac rehabilitation group that brings former patients together for dinner and ongoing support long after the program ends. His experience is a reminder that exceptional healthcare is about more than good outcomes. It’s about the people who make patients feel cared for every step of the way. For Gerry, recognizing those who made his second chance possible wasn’t just an expression of gratitude. It was a way of making sure their compassion would never go unnoticed.

If you’d like to honor a Southcoast Health caregiver with an impactful thank you, please visit www.southcoast.org/philanthropy/grateful-patient-program/.